MORE than 4,000 people in Devon quit smoking last year, with the help of the NHS Devon stop smoking service.

MORE than 4,000 people in Devon quit smoking last year, with the help of the NHS Devon stop smoking service.

It runs weekly stop smoking clinics, where people can get one-to-one support.

Sidmouth's centre is at Sidmouth Hospital on Tuesdays from 2-4pm.

Dr Virginia Pearson, director of public health at NHS Devon, said: "Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.

"We have exceeded our quit smoking target over the past three years.

"Half of all people who use their local NHS stop smoking service are not smoking four weeks later.

"We have carried out local research in an effort to find out the factors that influence smokers to quit and we have reorganised the way stop smoking services are available.

"Smokers can get the help they need through a range of health professionals including specialist health trainers and advisors, and through GP surgeries and pharmacies."

More than one in three young people in the south west aged 16-24 smoke more than any other area in England.

In addition, 21 per cent of adults in the south west smoke, the same as the national average.

Centres are also at Honiton Hospital, Mon 2.30-5.30pm; Seaton Hospital, Tue 10am-12pm and Withycombe Centre, Exmouth, Tue 1-3pm.